So far, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has received over sixty submissions to our “Bike Commute Challenge: Photo of the Day” contest, and we’ve seen some fantastic views of sunrises, some remarkable photos of Commute Challenge-themed events hosted by workplaces, and some pictures of some impressively large teams that are well-organized and seriously throwing down for the Challenge this year.

With that said, I’m not sure the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has ever, in the 15+ years that we’ve hosted the Bike Commute Challenge, received a photo as stunningly adorable as this photo sent in by Elena Nilsen of the USGS Bike Commute Challenge team. I could attempt to write a paragraph of context about this photo, highlighting USGS’s ongoing Bike Commute Challenge showdown with the Portland Bureau of Sustainability, or I could write some words of praise and appreciation for Elena’s laudable 100% Bike Commute rate, or I could perhaps acknowledge that Elena is one of a handful of parents who are including their children in Bike Commute Challenge festivities in anticipation of the BTA’s forthcoming Walk + Bike event on October 9th, in which students across the state walk and bike to school.

And yet, on a rainy Friday after a particularly long week of work, there’s nothing I could say or write that could even compare to the evident sheer, indomitable joy depicted in her boys’ smiles after enjoying both a lengthy afternoon bike ride and what appears to be an assortment of Portland’s finest Voodoo Doughnuts, so delicious and delectable that it was only appropriate that chocolate frosting end up all over their faces. Elena sent in this photo with the simple caption of “High Octane Fuel,” completely putting the Capital Pacific Bank’s bike-cake to shame.

May your own adventures in participating in the Bike Commute Challenge bring about similar smiles to you and your loved ones! Finish out the month of September strong; happy Friday, and happy riding!